[January 29, 2014]When
the president takes the oath of office, the oath is binding. "I do
solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office
of President of the United States, and will to the best of my
ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United
States." —
United States Constitution, Article II, Section 1

When the president repeats the oath of office and is sworn in as
president, the requirement is to tell the truth in all matters, and
is held accountable in all statements, with the possible exception
of national security matters. The president's responsibility is to
"preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United
States." The president of the United States is required as a "high
official" to speak the truth in all matters and is held accountable
to do so throughout the length of that individual's term in the
office of president.

The use of the word "high crimes" does not necessarily mean a crime
that is "more serious" than other crimes. It refers to those
punishable offenses that can only be applied to people in the
highest of offices. In the case of the president, because of the
official status under which that person holds the office, the
standard is meant for that person who holds special obligations that
the ordinary person is not under. Examples might be the action, or
inaction, taken by the person in such high office.

Some might argue if the president failed to warn people of the
danger that existed when he knew of a terrorist attack that would
take the lives of American citizens, it could be construed that he
did not act in the best interest of the citizens and put them in
danger and thereby failed to protect the citizens from the harm he
knew would cause their death. An ordinary citizen with no official
responsibilities would not be under the same standard of "high
crimes."

Some might argue that specific actions taken by the president might
be seen as "high crimes" if those actions involved the president's
actual knowledge of the dangers of the action and the likely
consequences or outcomes of the action relative to the action being
a direct threat to the welfare of the citizens of the United States.
For example, if the president had prior knowledge of how a
subversive group would use various weapons or instruments of war,
and that use constituted a direct attack on the sovereignty of the
United States with the likely outcome being the death of American
citizens, following through with providing such weapons or
instruments of war to that subversive group could be construed as
committing "high crimes."

Another such action on the part of the president might be the
president's disregard of the Constitution relative to the separation
of powers between the branches of government. Under the Constitution
of the United States, the office of president has specific powers
relative to the executive branch of government. Those powers include
enforcing the laws drawn up and passed through both houses of
Congress. The congressional responsibility is to legislate laws
through the process of both the House of Representatives and the
Senate. Once they have passed with the required number of votes, the bill
goes to the president, who signs it, making it law, or rejects it by
veto, in which case it does not become law unless Congress overrides
the president's veto.

Outside the congressional process, the president cannot usurp the Constitutional
rights of the congressional lawmakers to reshape and change existing
laws. Establishing executive
orders that move the federal agencies of law enforcement away from
enforcing existing laws at the whim of the president constitutes
abuse of power between the executive branch and the congressional
branch of government.

Under such circumstances the United States Congress through the
House of Representatives is authorized under the Constitution to
initiate impeachment proceedings. "The President, Vice President
and all civil officers of the United States shall be removed from
office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or
other high crimes and misdemeanors." —
United States Constitution, Article II, Section 4

Americans need to remain vigilant in their watch of the highest
officials in the federal government to ensure they abide by the oath
or affirmation they have taken and hold them accountable when they
fail in their responsibilities. This responsibility includes the president.